Russia successfully launches GLONASS satellite

Russia has successfully launched another satellite of the Russian GLONASS satellite group from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, Colonel Dmitry Zenin a spokesman for the Aerospace Defense Forces said.

Soyuz-2.1b booster rocket with Fregat upper stage blasted off at 09:23 a.m. Moscow time from the fourth launcher platform number 43 at Plesetsk cosmodrome.

As soon as the spacecraft reaches its orbit, Russian space troops will take it under their control.

This is the first launch of the GLONASS satellite during the last two years. The GLONASS satellite constellation consists of 29 satellites.